<p>Tell me what you think? One parent of a recent WP grad told me she didn't go and regrets it. I have heard other parents say that they are glad they did go and other say they are glad they didn't go.
I'm so confused!!! I've never had a child go away to school before and this year I will have my only two leaving much earlier than I thought they would.
Please give me some advice</p>
<p>My understanding is that the Acadamies do things very differently.
USNA--up to now--has seen fit to involve the parents throught the day w/ various activities and presentations while the kids are being processed. At the end of the day, parents and plebes are reunited for about 30 - 40 minutes to review the day and say goodbyes.
We enjoyed the day and this was our first exposure to the Academy grounds, indoc, process, etc.
This may all change a great deal this year as it seems the current supt. is not comfortable speaking before groups and does not seem to want anything to do w/ pesky parents.</p>
<p>USMA, as I have read, tears your child from your gut over the course of about 90 seconds and that's that. at the end of the day, you get to see brief parade and that's about it.</p>
<p>As I have read on these threads, USAFA does it differently w/ regard to "A-day" or something like that. That is, there is no ceremony at the end of plebe summer, a la Plebe Parent Weekend [which may be curtailed this year, see above] and, instead, there is a general "Parent's Day" for each class, each year. Or something like that.</p>
<p>So . . .the question for you is: Will you be satisfied w/ dropping your kiddo off in the morning and, probably, not seeing him/her for the rest of the day; perhaps seeing some activity throughout the day and seeing a short assembly at the end of the day?</p>
<p>Even at USNA, the plebe-interaction on I-day is VERY limited.
Go if you want, you, probably, won't be disappointed. BUt, if you miss it, it's probably okay.</p>
<p>USAFA I-day does not include the parents in very much. There is an area in Doolittle Hall (the AOG building, away from the main campus) where families can do last minute stuff and say goodbye. There is usually a short presentation by the AOG president to the families, as well. From there, appointees go upstairs, fill out forms, go outside and onto a bus to the main campus.</p>
<p>There is a swearing in ceremony the next day (IIRC), and an Acceptance Day parade (with the remainder of the day being open campus to families) at the end of BCT.</p>
<p>If you are deciding between I-day and Acceptance day, I recommend Acceptance day. There is a lot more time for family on Acceptance day.</p>
<p>Sorry- I realize that I am not a parent but I thought maybe this could use some advice from current cadets/mids or soon-to-be cadets/mids. I will be going to USNA I-day class of 2012 and I personally want my family there. For me, I don't want to wave goodbye to them for a six/seven week period at the gate of the airport. I would rather hug them before I rush off through the haze of I-day. That is just my personal opinion though. I know that some kids would rather do the whole thing independently. So talk to your kids about it and see what they think.</p>
<p>I would estimate that there were about 97% of the parents at R-Day, but the packet we received did explain that parents were very welcome and there was a dinner the night before for all the families, as well as many events on R-Day. I'm not sure about WP. There were a few kids there with host parents whose parents did not go. Obviously not all parents can afford the cost of the flight if they are from a long way away plus the cost of the hotel/meals...my motto has always been...beg or borrow but you should be there for R-Day and the first parents weekend at least. It will mean a lot to your son/daughter. The ones we saw whose parents were not there kind of had that deer in the headlight look to them. I think you should probably decide based on what the specific academy advises and whether they have events for parents/families. I can only speak to the Coast Guard Academy and my personal experience with R-Day.</p>
<p>"One parent of a recent WP grad told me she didn't go and regrets it. I have heard other parents say that they are glad they did go and other say they are glad they didn't go."</p>
<p>I can only speak from a USMA perspective, but I have never heard anyone say that they went to R-day and regretted going....
If you can afford the trip, and your son/daughter would like you to be there, I would say "go".</p>
<p>
[quote]
USMA, as I have read, tears your child from your gut over the course of about 90 seconds and that's that. at the end of the day, you get to see brief parade and that's about it.
[/quote]
unbelievable. I sure hope not. I hope the "child" leaves the parent willingly. ;)</p>
<p>USMA - also has an Acceptance day in August. This is the BCT "graduation" and ceremony when they actually become plebes. Yep - unlike USNA at USMA you have to complete Beast to be admitted to the Corps of Cadets and earn the right to be a plebe.</p>
<p>There is no right or wrong in making the judgement to attend or not to attend. It depends on your child, the academy, distance, travel costs etc...</p>
<p>LOL. Our new cadet went willingly - he only needed about 10 of those 90 seconds to say his goodbyes and disappear....he reappeared at the end of the day looking vaguely familiar, but oh so different :). We will have lasting memories of the day, and of the Oath ceremony at Trophy Point. Like most parents, we left with a tear in our eyes and pride in our heart....</p>
<p>GO. Unless your plebe doesn't want you there (a few prefer to say goodbye @ home), and regardless of how parent-friendly/unfriendly I-Day becomes, GO. </p>
<p>You need to see where you mid will be, how s/he looks in the swabby outfit, who the other plebes are, etc. There's something comforting about seeing that 1200 other kids are going through the same terror/excitement, and even if all you can see is the Oath of Office, it's extremely moving. For parents, it somehow makes that long stretch of plebe summer more bearable. </p>
<p>GO.</p>
<p>I think the parents should respect the wishes of their candidate about who does or does not accompany them on I- or R-Day...after all it is their big day. Of course, getting the time off and expenses also enter into the decision. My son knew very definitely that he wanted to go to R-Day on his own. It was a decision he made as soon as he saw the details of the packaged trip that West Point offers. The day you say goodbye is a special day whether you say goodbye in the driveway, the airport, or in some big hall at an academy. </p>
<p>West Point's Public Affairs Office posted pictures during the day and then broadcasted the Oath Ceremony live via the internet on R-Day. If you do not go, be sure to carve out time to sit by your computer on R-Day! I think the other academies do something similar with internet pictures on that first day.</p>
<p>If you have to choose between R-Day and Acceptance Day (at the end of Basic Training) definitely choose A-Day. It is very special to sit in the stands and watch the entire Class pass by in parade and then move into their companies - signifying acceptance into the Corps of Cadets. Plus you get to spend time with your cadet - they really appreciate the opportunity to rest away from the barracks! </p>
<p>When you are making your decision, remember there are three special events in that first year...missing that first one is not too hard...just get your candidate to promise to let you know they arrived!</p>
<p>I asked my son if he wanted us to go and he said yes. We will be traveling from CA and he wants to go a few days early so he can start the transition to Eastern time and humidity.</p>
<p>great plan... we did the same, spent a day in DC and a day wondering around Annapolis. As the the parent programs on IDay - really didn't need. Just had fun walking around the yard and meeting people - never went to any of the monitors to see what the boy was doing. Really enjoyed the Oath of Office - quite impressive.</p>
<p>we went- no way I was going to miss it. No regrets. Would have had tons had I not gone.</p>
<p>If you can, go.
Don't know what the supe will have in store for the class of 2012, but I would not let that get in the way of what is a once-in-a-lifetime-day! Priceless!</p>
<p>I wasn't so much referring to mids/cadets wanting to go as the parents holding on for one last moment.</p>
<p>Like others said, there are limited opportunities to see your plebe during the day. However, for me, it was priceless to see our plebe for that 20 minutes after the swearing in ceremony to see that she was just fine. If we hadn't, I would have been wondering for weeks. It was also a nice time to get a feel for the academy and all it had to offer. Some parents hung out all day trying to catch glimpses of their children and that would be grueling to me. I did what most parents did and followed our parent schedule. We had a nice picnic, met other parents like us and had a nice day; albeit a nervous one for our plebe.
Tricia</p>
<p>It's a once in a lifetime kind of day. It's a day that you'll remember and talk about for the rest of your life. Thank goodness our daughter wanted us to be there. I actually think she didn't really believe for a minute that we wouldn't go - even if she didn't want us there.</p>
<p>I remember making plans to attend R-Day and then it dawned on me that I hadn't even asked my daughter if she wanted us to go or not. Once I realized that I had never asked her preference, I did. Fortunately she hadn't even considered the possibility of us NOT going. It's a day I wouldn't have missed for the world. But, as has been stated, at least for West Point, if you can only choose 1, choose PPW. If you can only choose 2, choose PPW and A-Day. But, if you can, and your son/daughter wants you there, go to all 3. Each is unique and brings a different perspective.</p>
<p>To each his own, but if my child DID NOT want me to attend [financial considerations notwithstanding], I would feel two things: My child was being selfish and I there was a fault in our relationship. </p>
<p>YES, YES, some of your wonderful, outstanding, mature, loving, exceptional, children w/ whom you have a wonderful, mature, complete relationship just wanted to "experience it for themselves." I just feel it unfortunate that a child would actively want to deny their parents a chance to be involved w/ this changeover in their lives. Especially after having invested 18-years in that kids life.</p>
<p>As I said, to each his own.
Go if you can. It's worth it.</p>
<p>Hey, Bill, this is the parents forum, not the USNA one.</p>
<p>Think the question was to go to I day or Not - he was just answering the posted question.</p>